I’ll Miss You, Annie

This evening, my bestest running buddy, Annie, will be on a flight to Singapore to start a new job there. As much as I want to be happy for her, I can’t help but feel otherwise. My running soulmate and partner-in-crime is leaving. And, I am completely devastated.

We met way back in the summer of 2007. Two young mothers who had a deep interest in running. We would run every other day, no fail, rain or shine. More often than not, we would run side by side, but there were times when she would run ahead of me (as she was much stronger) while I slowly improved trying my best to keep up with her. We had great fun talking and laughing during runs, but during tough climbs or tempo runs, we would be serious training partners, pushing each other to perform better. By the time summer ended and our Coach had deserted us, we had already forged a bond built around—what turned out to be—not just an interest, but an obsession for running.

October came and we decided to train for our first marathon together: Pasig Marathon 2008. We ran our Saturday long runs together, but they didn’t feel long at all; two hours would fly by so fast. We learned more about each other, how we were alike in so many ways: that our birthdays are only a day apart, that our husbands are so extraordinarily patient and supportive, that running is not just a hobby for us, but a huge part of our lives. We talked about our marathon dream and we could completely relate with each other. Unfortunately, I got injured while Annie went on to finish Pasig Marathon at 4:07 in February 2008.

In the summer of 2008, we signed up with another coach, Coach Jo-Ar, and started training in Ultra together. From the roads, we moved to the track and, together, we had even more fun climbing up those stairs, racing up the hills with kids half our age, or hanging out with the legendary Elma Muros. Still, we continued our regular Saturday long runs on the road as if it was a sacred tradition, a special day that we both looked forward to at the end of each hectic week.

By mid-year, we both decided to embark on our craziest running adventure yet: Singapore Marathon in December 2008, just the two of us pursuing our dream to run abroad for the first time. We prepared for this together, and we did it. Annie ran a 3:59 marathon, while I finished 2:08 for my half. It was an amazing, unforgettable event that we were only too glad to have experienced together.

Finding the perfect running buddy is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s finding that partner that you have a certain chemistry with: one you can talk to for hours to make you forget about the distance or the pain in your legs, one who will adjust his/her pace according to the needs of the day, one you can trust to be there for you when the going gets tough in a run…or in life. That was Annie for me. And, I’d like to think I was the same for her.

Now, the sad reality. She’s leaving tonight. I am losing a running buddy, a sister, a dear friend. I burst into tears just thinking about our laughable conversations about thongs, tampons, or men who waved at us on the road. I worry who will be there to remind me to take it easy when I’m injured or to accompany me when I embark on a new cross training activity. And, worst of all, I choke at the thought of Saturday long runs and Sunday races without her. With Annie’s departure, running for me will never ever be the same.

Posted on 01.31.09 to 01 Bullish Insights, Favorite Posts. Tags: Personal. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 19 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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19 Responses to “I’ll Miss You, Annie”

Saturday long run will never be the same without Annie. In fact when I went for my long run today Jan.31, unconsciously I was looking for her on the road of AVA. What’s nice running with Annie is all you do is make quento, compare running stories, talk about family etc. But the best part is the laughter. She is so much fun to talk / run with that a 25k run just goes by in a zip. She is really an inspiration to the running community and we will very much miss her. A good friend you can never replace. Don’t worry Jaymie everything will be ok. Look at the bright side now you have an excuse to run in the races at Singapore more often .

patrick concepcion said on Jan 31 09 at 10:08 AM Reply
Aaawww Annie!!! I didn’t get to see her na after Happy Run. I’ll miss her, too. Annie and I bonded at the Clark Dua, too, and she really is something.

At least we can crash at someone’s pad na at Sing should we decide to race there!

marga said on Jan 31 09 at 10:23 AM Reply
Tell Annie that the MR25 is having a 5K time trial tomorrow Feb 1, 5:00 pm. Start and finish is at the Zigzag bridge of McRitchie reservoir.

It’s free so she can just show up and register.

Regards Mark

m8parco said on Jan 31 09 at 11:04 AM Reply
Soooooo sad talaga! I feel so bad I din’t get to see her after last Sunday’s run. I will really miss her laughter, tips and encouraging words.

Mayi said on Jan 31 09 at 11:47 AM Reply
TBR will never be the same again…and so will Annie…a Saturday long run to unite the two? perhaps thats the SINGAPORE Sundown Marathon, May 30, 2009…

mondordona said on Jan 31 09 at 2:24 PM Reply
Goodbye Annie and good luck in Singapore! Do not scare them too much there!

prometheuscometh said on Jan 31 09 at 3:04 PM Reply
I feel for you. My dearest friends are few and they have, at different times, left for better opportunities. I know how you feel. I can feel the great loss yet deep happiness for a dear friend who is about to chart a new life in a new place. Someone said that there are people who stay in our lives a long time ( like family, our children, some friends), some stay for quite a period of time (like family, children, some friends), some even for a shorter time ( also like some family, some children, kids, friends and acquaintances) for a very good reason. It is because they needed us for that much or that little time in the same way we needed them in our lives for that much or that little time. It is painful and leavetakings usually are. But, you know what, at least we are over that stage in our lives when we had to wait patiently for that long distance call at the appointed time or for that snail mail to arrive at our door. Now, we can be very near, very close to each other through technology despite the distance. The only thing is that technology has not come up with a device that makes you able to “run with your friend” beside you !!! I believe that there are greater and happier reunions lined up ahead for both of you….( Singapore marathons, singapore races, manila runs and races, uhmmm, new…. york…? just to name a few!) Bon voyage and good luck, Annie. All will be well, TBR ! Be the ray of sunshine for everyone !

allyn said on Jan 31 09 at 5:47 PM Reply
I know how you feel, it’s really sad of being running together for a long time then suddenly. …Separate ways…. you truly miss her a lot and we also missed her either. Don’t be sadden the running community are always with you.

Cheers!

Hi Annie good luck in S’pore shown them how Pinay in action w/ Running.

Jhamfrens said on Jan 31 09 at 9:55 PM Reply
No words can fully mends your wounds, dear Jaymie. It’s a fact of life. Your unique and unbreakable bond was so strong that it hurts when you two are pulled apart by fate.

But that’s just it.

Your friendship is unbreakable. NOTHING will destroy the chains of true friendship. Together, the two of you made it as strong as titanium a thousand times over throughout the blissful years you’ve been together.

Keep strong, TBR. You’ll be fine.

cougcat said on Jan 31 09 at 11:53 PM Reply
I was waiting for this post. I’ll miss you too Annie!

Michelline said on Feb 01 09 at 1:36 AM Reply
Sorry to hear TBR. Makes me think of the running partners I’ve had throughout the years. On my short evening runs I still pass by the apartment of my first running partner. He got married and moved but I still pass by his apartment on the way to the bridge.

rick gaston said on Feb 01 09 at 1:53 AM Reply
… which maybe is the reason for the birth of the Lone Runner (just speculating)

Idnod said on Feb 01 09 at 9:54 AM Reply
hay! as i read this parang feeling ko ako din iiwan ni annie. oh i can realte to the feeling of having your best friend not there just like she used to. hope you and annie will be able to cope with the distance soon enough. virtual runs eh?

vimz said on Feb 01 09 at 2:20 PM Reply
hey…good luck annie! parang kelan lang when I joined you for a guys for a weekend run and that was way back 2007 pa pala…Grabe you and jaymie have definitely gone on and conquered great heights in running…now it’s time to conquer Singapore naman! Best wishes in everything and most of all RUN SAFE! Jaymie, you forgot to mention that she’s the running partner na kasing “bull headed” mo.

Mary715 said on Feb 02 09 at 9:52 AM Reply
“Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most define us.”

Deena Kastor (SOTM)

Idnod said on Feb 02 09 at 10:21 AM Reply
I felt sad reading your post I haven’t met Annie personally – but from your stories – she’s a very good person and a very good friend. Don’t worry Jaymie, even if you’re far apart – she’ll always be there for you. Another great reason for you to run in Singapore again – with her…

Gigi said on Feb 02 09 at 1:06 PM Reply